PROP. XVII.————
infinitely sounder, as well as much more intelligible, than that advanced by psychology. Let any one consider whether he does not regard the synthesis constituted by himself and surrounding things, as much more real and substantial than either himself with no objects or thoughts present to him, or than the objects or thoughts with no self in connection with them. Let him just consider that he cannot get any hold at all upon the members of this synthesis when he attempts to grasp them out of relation to each other,—indeed, that the necessities of all thinking prevent either factor from being apprehended without the other,—and he cannot but become a convert to the opinion now expressed. It seems unreasonable to regard as the substantial that which no possible intelligence can have any cognisance of. This consideration brings the question to a short and decisive settlement, and must surely procure a decision in favour of the speculative, as distinguished from the psychological, pleading. It is also to be hoped that these remarks may help to restore their proper and original signification to the philosophical terms, substance and phenomenon.
